Interview with a Local : San Diego

Today, Jocelyn tells us about her hometown San Diego. Jocelyn keeps a blog with her boyfriend Toby www.asideofsunsets.com about their travel adventures together since meeting in 2012. Their adventures includes trips to Cuba, South Africa, Hong Kong, Vietnam and more besides! Here she tells us what makes San Diego so great and what she recommends doing whilst you’re there!

Where are you living?

San Diego, CA!

Tell us about yourself?

My day job is Director of Marketing at a tech company, but my passion is travel blogging. I’ve lived in San Diego for almost 10 years (January 2018 will be my 10 year anniversary) and originally from Massachusetts. Aside from travel blogging, I love the outdoors – the beach (and thus water activities/boats), hiking, etc. I also love checking out new restaurants and bars and just enjoying everything San Diego has to offer.

What is your favorite thing about San Diego?

One of my favorite things about San Diego is that the temperate climate allows you to really be outside all year round – any month of the year you can go to the beach, go for a hike, paddle board on the bay, enjoy brunch on a patio. It allows me to enjoy all the things I love all year-long. I also love the slower pace – compared to growing up in the northeast or even Los Angeles, San Diego is a bit more relaxed which I think can be good for the soul.

What is your favorite thing to do in San Diego with a day off?

Wake up early, go for a hike, grab lunch near the beach and relax on the sand for an hour or two. A combination of being active and relaxing while enjoying the sun on my face.

What in your opinion is the one thing you can’t miss when you visit San Diego?

Sunset over the Pacific Ocean – while there isn’t really a bad spot for this, Sunset Cliffs is a popular spot, or a roof top or patio at a bar or restaurant along the coast is always great!

Any top tips what to do on a rainy day?

Balboa Park has some great museums (17 in total!) and you could spend an afternoon wandering around there and stopping for lunch at The Prado. There is also a seemingly never-ending supply of craft breweries which can always be a fun place to pass the time! You can find any number of these in most neighborhoods – bigger names include Stone Brewing, Green Flash, and Ballast Point, while some smaller local spots include Modern Times, Alesmith, and Iron Fist.

Where is your go-to restaurant?

There are SO many delicious restaurants in San Diego, it’s really hard to choose! But if I had to pick one place that I find myself frequenting…

Pacific Beach Fish Shop – I think this an example of what San Diego is all about – located in a beach community, seafood, fish tacos, great craft beer, BYOW (bring your own wine), outdoor seating, and a dog-friendly patio. Definitely, order a TKO taco and the Fish Shop Shrimp!

Where do you suggest going for a drink in the evening?

I’m all about sunsets and great views. Depending where you are in the city, Tower 23 in Pacific Beach, Wonderland in OB, The Nolen downtown, or Coasterra in the Seaport are all great spots to grab a cocktail and watch the sunset.

San Diego is the 8th largest city in the country – but it often feels like a small town! Each neighborhood has its own unique feel which gives a great sense of community – people are proud of the neighborhoods that they live in and proud to call San Diego home.

Anything else you think we should know?

San Diego has something to offer for everyone – whether you just want to relax on the beach, sail or paddleboard around the bay, beer and wine taste, sample Mexican food, party in dive bars or go out for fancier dinners, catch a baseball game or go to the zoo – the possibilities are really endless. And within a matter of minutes (or a couple of hours) you can be in Mexico, the desert, even skiing!